Development of Páirc Uí Chaoimh / Centre of Excellence

Development of Páirc Uí Chaoimh / Centre of Excellence~ Acquisition of Land from Cork City Council ~

An Choiste Chontae is pleased to announce that Cork City Council at its meeting this evening has agreed in principle to an Agreement negotiated between the City Manager Mr. Tim Lucey and An Rúnaí of An Choiste Chontae, Proinnsias Ó Murchú (with An Choiste Bainistí approval) on:

(a) The Price of Lands being acquired.

(b) Process for the Design and Planning for the lands

(c) Car Parking for major Games/Event occasion and

(d) Time Spans.

The price of the Land of 6.82 acres (on Freehold basis) has been negotiated at €1.7m. In the event of An Choiste Chontae being responsible for the development of a Car Parking area for major Match/Event occasions, on additional land provided by City Council on a Lease basis – the compensation will be reduced to €1.6m to reflect the costs of provision of car parking space, and the fact that such occasional car park use would not have to be provided on City Council retained lands which will be developed as a regional park.

The price represents a sizeable compromise on the respective positions of both bodies and a satisfactory outcome to the negotiations. The City Council originally sought a price of €2.78m based on comparable market value for land at the time of its purchase by way of CPO in 2007 while An Choiste Chontae’s position sought the acquisition at current market value.

The outcome of the negotiations reflects the City Councillors decisions in 2008 and 2010 to support the development of both the upgrading of Páirc Uí Chaoimh and the provision of the Centre of Excellence as part of the overall development of a new sub- regional park at the Marina in Cork Docklands. It also recognises An Choiste Chontae's position related to its community role; traditional usage and access; and that the development will create much needed employment and visible construction activity in the Cork Docklands Development. The outcome also recognises both parties wish that the development will provide major sporting amenities for the City and County,and the commercial advantages to the City of being in a position to stage major Games and other events.

The City Council is to appoint Consultants to design the proposed new City Park (making provision for the G.A.A. Centre of Excellence). The Association will be consulted towards ensuring that both Projects (of City and G.A.A.) are planned to best effect, especially at boundaries. Additionally, access routes for both the City Park and the G.A.A development will be determined and provided as part of this process. The process will take up to March 2012 – and will assist in the Planning process – an application for which will be made in April 2012. The Planning Process is expected to take six months. Development work will commence within 3 months of Planning Permission being obtained, and the first phase – Re-development of Covered Stand and Centre of Excellence – will take 24 months in construction.